text:
Discovery of the Philippines
On a morning of the first week in March, 1521, the starving crews were cheered by the emerald crown of a mountain peering above the horizon. It rose higher and higher, and as the clouds about its shoulders dissolved there stood revealed one of the most beautiful objects in the world, a tropical island in mid-ocean. This island-mountain was clothed from summit to base in the most luxuriant vegetation: whole forests, wreathed in vines spangled with starry blossoms; feathery bamboos climbing the acclivities, and ranks of cocoa-palms encircling all, with their golden crowns gleaming above snow-white coral strands.
The vessels were headed for this island, when another appeared, of lesser magnitude but apparently more accessible, and nearer. To this latter the bows were promptly pointed, and as it was approached scores of native canoes, or proas, came careering out from shore. Each proa was filled with naked brown men, smooth of skin, pleasant as to countenance, shapely as to form, and tall of stature. They approached, jabbering and gesticulating, holding up stalks of bananas set with yellow fruit, and clusters of cocoanuts filled with refreshing drink. These products of their gardens were quickly disposed of to the famishing sailors, who fell-to greedily upon the fruits and nuts, while their visitors roamed at will about the ships. They seemed so frank and inoffensive that Magellan interposed no objection to their familiarity, and watched their capers with amused interest while speculating upon their peculiarities.
As Magellan was leaning over the rail of the flag-ship, looking down into the canoes swarming around her, he was approached by one of his officers, who said: "Pardon me, your excellency, but those rascals have stolen our small-boat, which was fastened astern. And they are also taking everything on board which they can get into their. hands!" Magellan was on the qui-vive in a moment. "Clear the ship!" he shouted. "Send a party at once to intercept those scoundrels." Seeing that it was impossible to overtake them, however, as they moved in the water with incredible rapidity, he gave orders for the ship to stand "off and on" during the night, and in the morning sent a punitive party of sixty men to burn their village and secure the boat they had stolen.
He was thoroughly enraged, having been so basely deceived, and determined to give these treacherous people a lesson. The village was burned, some of the natives killed, and the boat recovered, the expedition returning to the fleet with a large quantity of provisions, which were extremely acceptable. The islanders seemed to be unacquainted with defensive weapons, such as bows and arrows, for when any of them were struck by darts, or crossbow-shafts, which usually went entirely through the body, they would draw the missiles out and look at them with astonishment before they expired. These acts excited the compassion of the explorers; but when the natives rallied and pursued them in their canoes, to the number of a hundred or more, they did not hesitate to discharge their cannon among them. Their proas were so swift that one of them cut out another small-boat as it was being towed astern a ship, passing between the two with great dexterity, though the vessel was sailing at full speed.
From the number of these proas, all carrying small, triangular sails, Magellan, at first sight of them coming out from the shore, named these new lands the "Islands of the Lateen Sails"; but when the thievish proclivities of the natives were disclosed he called them the Ladrones, or Robber Islands. The name has clung to them ever since, for, like most of his appellations, it was peculiarly applicable. The island at which Magellan first arrived was that known now as Guam, or Guahan, and belongs to the United States, having been ceded to this government by Spain in 1898.
The incensed natives of Guam were loath to allow the fleet to leave their waters without some token of their displeasure, and pursued it in their canoes for a long distance, casting stones at the ships, uttering cries of defiance, and making hideous grimaces. "The chief amusement of these people," wrote Pigafetta, "is to plough the seas in those small boats of theirs, which are sharp-pointed, bow and stern alike, and carry sails made of palm-leaves sewn together, lateen shape. They are very fast, and in shape and speed resemble dolphins which leap in the water from wave to wave. At the side opposite the sail, they have a large log of wood, pointed at the top, with poles laid across it and resting on the water, in order that the boats may sail more safely." These affairs were the curious outriggers, invented and used by the islanders of the South Pacific, who had lived so long isolated that "they thought there were no other people in the world but themselves."
During the two-days' stay at Guam, the crews had been greatly refreshed, for not only was the long-continued strain of watching relieved, but the fresh fruits and vegetables put an end to the scurvy which had afflicted them so severely. Some of the sea-men, however, were too far gone to recover, and on the morning the fleet left Guam (which was the 9th of March), the only Englishman in the expedition died of the disease. He was a gunner, and known on board as "Master Andrew of Bristol." Some sick remained yet, and when, a week later, the outlying islands of what is known to-day as the Philippines were reached, anchors were dropped in the first promising harbor, for the purpose of recreating the invalids. The island was without inhabitants, though as attractive as an oasis of palm-trees in a desert, and here Magellan pitched his tents in peace, and set up a temporary hospital for the sick. A pig was killed which had been obtained at Guam, fresh fruits were set before the invalids, and the captain-general himself gave them cocoa-milk and pure spring-water to drink, with his own hands. He was unwearied in his attentions, and soon the sick recovered sufficiently to be taken back to the ships again, when the fleet proceeded to other islands.
While encamped on the sands of the uninhabited island, Magellan was approached by nine men in a proa, which they ran upon the beach without hesitation, at a point quite near the tents. After regarding the Europeans for a while in silence, these natives took several fish, which they had just caught, out of their canoe, and laid them at Magellan's feet. In return for this acceptable gift, he ordered some caps of colored cloth, looking-glasses, and cascabels brought out and given them. These were so highly appreciated that the natives again went to the canoe and brought forth a big bunch of bananas, a sack of cocoa-nuts, and an immense jar of palm-wine, all of which were presented to Magellan, with many signs of friendship and good-will.
When these "Filipinos" took their departure a short while after, they promised to return with fruits from their groves and gardens, and a week later were back as agreed. They brought with them not only cocoa-nuts, oranges, bananas, and jars of wine, but some of the native jungle-fowl, domesticated from wild birds taken in the forest. They exhibited "great signs of pleasure at seeing us," says Pigafetta, "and we purchased all those articles from them." Their chief, an old man with a tattooed face, gold rings in his ears, gold armlets and bracelets, was almost entirely naked, like his followers, except that he wore a cotton kerchief embroidered with silk.
All these people were dark-complexioned, corpulent, and glistening from frequent applications of cocoa-nut oil. Their hair was jet black and fell to their waists, while their wild appearance was increased by their custom of carrying daggers, knives, spears, javelins, and shields which were ornamented with gold. They had come from the islands of Samar and Suluan, which they importuned Magellan to visit; but he had passed them on the way and did not care to retrace his steps. Instead, he proceeded easterly to the island of Mazaba, where a surprise awaited him, for he found that some of the people spoke a language understood by his servant, or slave, who was a Malay from Malacca. Enrique, or Henry, was the name by which he was known to the Spaniards, though he was formerly called Traprobana. But, though a boat-load of natives came within speaking distance of the flag-ship, and though Enrique conversed with them freely, they would not board the vessel. Wishing to establish friendly relations with them, Magellan sent out a red cap and other things on a floating plank, and was pleased to observe that they picked them up with signs of satisfaction.
They probably took the gifts to their chief, or king, for a few hours later he came out in a large boat, or balanghai, which was full of armed men and furnished with an awning, under which he reclined upon a pile of mats. He at first refused to go on board the ship, as he was very suspicious of these strangers who had come to his island uninvited, though they assured him that they came as friends and not as enemies. Presents were exchanged by means of floating planks, and amicable relations established which led to a second visit by the king, who, when he entered the flag-ship, embraced Magellan cordially and begged his acceptance of a bar of gold and a basket of ginger. The captain-general is said to have refused the gold—to the great disgust of his crew, who had never before sailed with a commander so free from the sin of covetousness. But he accepted three porcelain jars filled with rice, and several large fish, as fresh food was a necessity. In return he gave the king a robe of red-and-yellow cloth, a Turkish fez, and to his men some mirrors and knives. These presents impressed his majesty so favorably that he expressed a desire to be casi casi with Magellan, or, in other words, to perform the ceremony of blood-brotherhood, and it was done. Each one let the other taste a few drops of his blood, and thenceforth they were "brothers," according to the Malay custom.
Desirous of impressing the half-naked king with his power and attainments, Magellan showed him his stock of arms and ammunition, his collection of weapons, artillery, armor, etc. He had some of the cannon discharged, at the sound of which the king was greatly terrified, and two of his attendants leaped overboard. "Then the captain-general had a man encased in armor, and placed him in the midst of three others armed simply with swords and daggers, who struck him on all parts of the body without harming him. At this sight the king was rendered almost speechless, and when the captain-general told him that one of those armed men was worth a hundred of his own [the king's] without defensive armor, he answered that was a fact. The captain-general said that he had two hundred men who were armed in that manner, and he showed the king his cuirasses, swords, bucklers, etc., and had a review conducted for him. Then he led him to the deck of the ship that is located above, at the stern, and had his sea-charts and compass brought. By means of them he explained how he had found the strait, in order to voyage thither, and how many moons he had been without seeing land, whereat the king was greatly astonished. Lastly, he told the king that he would like, if it were pleasing to him, to send two of his men with him so that he might show them some of his things. The king replied that he was agreeable, and I, Antonio Pigafetta, went with him in company with another.
"When we reached the shore, the king raised his hands towards the sky and then turned to us, so that we did the same, as did all the others. The king then took me by the hand, one of his chiefs took my companion, and thus they led us under a bamboo covering, where there was an immense balanghai, resembling a fusta. There we sat down upon the stern of that great boat, constantly conversing by signs, and the king's men stood about us in a circle, armed with swords, daggers, spears, and bucklers.
"The king shortly had a dish of pork and a large jar of wine brought in, and at every mouthful we drank a cup of the wine. The king's cup was always covered, and no one drank of it save himself. Before he took the cup to drink he raised his clasped hands towards the sky, and then towards me. When he was about to drink, he extended the fist of his left hand towards me (so that at first I thought he was about to strike me), and then drank. I did the same, and so far as possible went through the same performance. I learned that they always make those signs when they drink together."
These peculiar customs remind one of similar ceremonies used by the Aztecs and Mayas of Mexico when, about the same time, they were first visited by the Spaniards. After the meal was over, Pigafetta employed himself in writing down as many words of his host's language as he could obtain; but not much time was allowed him, for soon the supper-hour arrived and the feasting was resumed. Two large dishes were brought in, one full of boiled rice, and the other of pork with its gravy. "We ate with the same signs and ceremonies as before, after which we went to the king's 'palace,' which was built like a hay-loft, set up high from the ground on great posts, and was thatched with banana and palm leaves. To reach the banquet-hall it was necessary to ascend by means of ladders, and once there the king made us sit down, on a bamboo mat, with our feet drawn up like tailors.
"After a long delay, a platter of broiled fish was brought in, also green ginger and wine. The king's eldest son, who was the prince, sat down near us, and then two platters of fish and rice were brought, so that we might also eat with him. We were already full to repletion, and my companion became intoxicated as the result of so much drinking. The torches now burned low, with flickering light, and the king made us a sign that he was going to sleep. He left the prince with us, and we slept with him on a bamboo mat with pillows made of leaves.
"With the dawn of day came the king, who took me by the hand and led me to the place where we had supper, in order to partake of refreshments before the boat came for us. As we departed the king kissed our hands, and we kissed his, in token of the mutual joy we felt. One of his brothers, the king of another island [Mindanao], and three men went with us, whom our captain-general kept to dine aboard the flag-ship."
This king informed Magellan that in his island gold, in nuggets the size of eggs and walnuts, was very abundant; that his plate was all of gold, and the adornments of his palace were chiefly of the precious metal. He had, indeed, something to show in proof of his boasting, for the haft and scabbard of the dagger he wore at his side were of gold, and in his ears were massive golden earrings. "He likewise had three spots of gold on every tooth in his head, and his teeth appeared as if bound with gold. He was perfumed with storax and benzoin; tawney he was, and tattooed all over his body."
"According to their custom he was grandly decked out, and the finest-looking man we had seen among these people. His hair was raven black and hung to his shoulders. On his head he wore a covering of silk, and around his waist a cotton cloth which covered his legs down to his knees." His name and title combined Pigafetta gives as Raia [Rajah] Siaui, and his brother was the Raia Colambu. He had been hunting in the latter's island, as was his custom when desirous of meeting his brother, and was then returning to his own districts, which were Butuan and Calagan, in northeastern Mindanao.
The dress, customs, and ornaments of the people met by Magellan in the Philippines were similar to those in vogue to-day, and the Malays had the same disgusting habit of chewing the betel-nut, as have their successors in the islands. As the following Sunday was Easter, and also the anniversary of the mutiny which he had suppressed in the harbor of San Julian, Magellan resolved to celebrate the double event in a manner to impress the king and all his people. He sent his chaplain ashore, with Enrique, the interpreter, to inform the king of his intention to perform a religious ceremonial, but not to dine with him, or visit.
The king at once consented to the landing of the soldiers, fifty of whom, without armor, but carrying their muskets and side-arms. paraded on the beach in front of the palace. Before they reached the shore six cannon had been fired "as a sign of peace," and the two native kings embraced Magellan ardently. With a king on either side, he marched his men to a place selected for the ceremonies, and before they commenced sprinkled his royal companions with musk water, at which they were well pleased. They even kissed the cross, when it was elevated, and with' clasped hands fell on their knees and worshipped this, the first, Christian symbol they had ever seen.
They did this probably from deference to their guests, and not because of any real sentiment of religion, for when asked by Magellan whether they were Moros (Mahometans) or heathens, they made answer that they worshipped nothing, but that they raised their clasped hands and faces to the sky, and called their god by the name of Abba. "Thereat the captain-general was very glad, and, seeing that, the first king raised his hands to the sky and said that he wished it were possible for him to make the strangers see his love for him."
Magellan replied that he did not doubt his love, and to prove it he was going to ask of him a great favor. He desired permission to set up the cross they had brought on the summit of a hill overlooking the harbor, where it should be not only a sign of possession taken in the name of his dread sovereign, but as a token of amity between them. Magellan's real reason, doubtless, for the raising of the cross in such a conspicuous place, lay in the fact that such an act signified actual possession, and allegiance on the part of the natives to the king he served. But he veiled his real motives in the religious ceremony, and he told the kings, through the interpreter, "that he wished to set it up in that place for their benefit, for whenever any of our ships came they would know that we had been there by this cross, and would do nothing to displease them or harm their property. If any of their men were captured, they would be set free immediately, on that sign being shown; and it was necessary to place it on the highest hill or mountain, so that on seeing it every morning they might adore it; and if they did that, neither thunder, lightning, nor storms would harm them in the least. They thanked him heartily, and said they would do everything he wished most willingly."
Near the shore, and overlooking the harbor, rose a verdant, palm-dotted hill with a smooth and rounded crown. It was a site most fit for the erection of that holy symbol of Christianity, and there Magellan resolved to place it. With a host of natives in the van, breaking a path through the tangled tropical vegetation, and himself leading his fifty soldiers, he ascended the hill soon to be made sacred to the religion he professed. The two kings accompanied him, and while the trio stood apart, watching the proceedings with deep interest, the soldiers detailed for the purpose dug a deep hole and set the cross in position. Less than eight years previously, Balboa, on the isthmus of Darien, had marked with a cross the site from which he had first viewed the Pacific, and now it was Fernan Magellan's privilege, in these far-distant isles of the same ocean, to confirm his sovereign's possession of that vast body of water which he was the first to cross.
A gilded crown surmounted the cross, and both together typified the spiritual and material sovereignty which Magellan, as a faithful subject of his king and true soldier of the faith, was desirous to extend and to confirm. After it was in position, he reverently knelt at the foot of the cross, and with his soldiers, also on bended knees, listened to the invocation by his chaplain. The moment it was finished a musket was fired, as a signal to the ships, and their cannon boomed a salutation. Volleys of musketry responded from the hill, and, amid dense clouds of smoke, the party descended to the plain at its base, where the soldiers performed martial evolutions and fought a sham battle, greatly to the edification of all the people, who were loath to allow their guests to depart.


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text:
Six men arrested after violent attack in North Swindon
By Hedi Mehrez Reporter
SIX men were arrested yesterday in relation to a violent attack in North Swindon.
A 22-year-old man was assaulted by a group of males outside McDonalds at The Orbital on April 12 at approximately 6.30pm.
He suffered injuries to his head and hand, and cuts to his eye which required specialist treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
A public appeal was issued following the incident, and investigation work has been ongoing to identify those involved.
Wiltshire police arrested six males from the Penhill area all aged between 15 to 21-year-old.
They were all interviewed at Gablecross police station and have since been released on condition bail pending further enquiries.
Det Sgt Justin Downes, of CID North, said: "I would like to say a big thank you to officers and staff from the wider force who assisted in the arrest and search phases of the investigation, which enabled us to bring these individuals into custody yesterday for questioning.
"This was a nasty incident which lefty a man with injuries which required hospital treatment.
"We will not tolerate this kind of violent behaviour on our streets – it is totally unacceptable that anyone should suffer these kinds of injuries in an unprovoked attack while going about their daily routine."
If anyone witnessed the incident call 101.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Prolife Encyclopedia
The Miracle of Fetal Development
Author: A.L.L.
CHAPTER 72 — THE MIRACLE OF FETAL DEVELOPMENT
The last time I saw her, she was just eight cells in a test tube. She was beautiful then, and she's beautiful now.
Dr. Robert Edwards describing Louise Brown, the world's first 'test-tube' baby.[1]
Anti-Life Philosophy.
Explain that you are equally repulsed by the [pro-life] photos, that you are human and love children and babies as much as anyone else ... The pictures they [the audience] have seen must be discredited. They have been magnified so much as to remove the facts from scientific perspective. Really, in early stages, the fetus is smaller than a fingernail, can fit into a walnut shell, and is much like menstrual flow to the naked eye. We would be repulsed by a magnified picture of an eyeball in formaldehyde also.
National Abortion Rights Action League.[2]
The First Nine Months of Life.
It is not enough merely to tell them [pregnant women] that in producing an abortion in the early months they are taking a human life; they must be shown that at this [six week] period the child is already well along in its development.
Abortionist Frederick Taussig.[3]
The True Impact of Roe v. Wade.
The United States Supreme Court, in its loathsome 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions, stated that abortion is legal throughout all nine months of pregnancy. One of the greatest triumphs of the pro-abortion movement is that it has convinced the United States public that abortion is illegal beyond the first trimester, as described in Chapter 89, "Supreme Court Decisions on Abortion."
Look in Your Yellow Pages.
The most effective rebuttal of the pro-abortion allegation that abortion is illegal after the first trimester is as close at hand as your local Yellow Pages.
Almost every phone book in the United States includes advertising by an abortion mill that does abortions to 22, 24, or 28 weeks. Larger cities will have the clinics locally, and surrounding rural areas will almost always have these clinics advertising in their Yellow Pages.
"Collision Course."
Associate Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has stated that Roe v. Wade is "... on a collision course with itself." Roe defined viability as when the baby is "... potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial help." The court then established an arbitrary viability limit of 30 weeks. The Justices were already outdated in their thinking; Figure 72-1 shows that fetal viability was fifty percent at only 28.5 weeks as far back as 1970.
FIGURE 72-1
THE MEDIAN FETAL AGE OF VIABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES
YEAR Weeks Gestation
1950: 33.7 weeks
Reference: B. Ferrera, R. Hoekstra, E. Graziano, G. Knox, R. Couser, and J. Fangman. "Changing Outcome of Extremely Premature Infants (<26 Weeks Gestation and <750 Grams: Survival and Follow-Up at a Tertiary Center." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1989;161: pages 1,114 to 1,118. This article is analyzed in the January 1990 issue of the Bernadell Technical Bulletin, page 5.
The Supreme Court's decision in Planned Parenthood v. Danforth defined viability as "... that state of fetal development when the life of the unborn child may be continued indefinitely outside of the womb by natural or life-support systems."
This latter definition does not address the question of frozen human embryos, which are certainly capable of being sustained indefinitely by cryogenic life-support systems. By the Supreme Court's own medico-legal definition, a preborn baby is viable until about three weeks of age, then non-viable until about 24 weeks, and viable thereafter.
Does this make any sense?
Lowering the Limits on Viability.
In 1950, a baby born at thirty week's gestation had only a slim chance to live. The birth and survival of a "kilogram kid" (a premature baby born at 2.2 pounds) was big news indeed. Now, however, the limits have been drastically lowered; it is estimated that more than one hundred children have been born in this country weighing less than one pound, and most of them are living perfectly healthy and normal lives.
The smallest surviving healthy baby born weighed 380 grams, or about 13.4 ounces. Her mother suffered from life-threatening high blood pressure and a blood clotting disorder, and the infant was delivered 15 weeks early by emergency Cesarian section. The child survived and was discharged after 4 months in the hospital nursery. At 20 months, she was evaluated and was found to have minor eye and ear disorders. She had normal scores for intelligence and psychomotor development. The total cost of her delivery and care was estimated to be $202,109.[4]
Figure 72-1 shows the mean gestational age at which babies have survived birth over the last forty years. The figures shown represent that point at which an "average" baby for that gestational age may be born and have a fifty percent chance of survival.
Figure 72-2 lists the names of about one percent of the babies who have survived extremely early birth, and together with Figure 72-1, clearly demonstrates that the threshold of fetal viability is decreasing in a steady near-linear pattern.
SOME HEALTHY BABIES WHO HAVE SURVIVED EXTREMELY EARLY BIRTH
[A medium text size on your computer's 'view' setting is recommended, otherwise, the tables may be discombobulated.]
Weeks Baby's
Baby's Gest- Weight
Birthday ation (ounces) Baby's Name Source of Information
3/1971 21 21 Kelly Thorman St. Vincent Hospital, Toledo
7/1971 21 23 Suzanne South Bethesda Hosp., Cincinnati
1/1972 20 27 Marcus Richardson University Hosp., Cincinnati
3/1972 22 19 Tracy LaBranch Battle Creek Enquirer
3/1974 23 20 Tascha Hudson Brooke Army Hospital
4/1974 24 23 Alicia Ponce Associated Press
4/1978 23 21 Simmonne Jayette Montreal Jewish Gen. Hosp.
11/1978 23 17 Mimi Faulkner San Diego, Boston Herald
10/1979 26 15 Chaya Snyder Albert Einstein Hosp., NYC
11/1979 26 15 Russell Williams Long Beach Memorial Hosp.
2/1983 22 17 Ernestine Hodges San Diego, Washington Post
4/1983 23 19 Faith Materowski Hackensack Medical Center
6/1983 22 18 Melissa Murray Victoria, TX, Houston Post
10/1983 24 16 Jamie Baire Garfield Hospital, Monterey
12/1983 20 16 Melissa Cameron Sault St. Marie Hospital
6/1985 21 18 Kanya King Medical World News
5/1986 27 13 Darlene Monroe Medical Post, Canada
7/1986 22 12 Brandon Spense Cincinnati Enquirer
10/1988 24 15 Christy Adams Our Lady of Lourdes
Hospital, Camden
7/1991 22 11 Katy Masner Kansas City Star, 11/5/91
References: Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Willke. Abortion Questions and Answers. Hayes Publishing Company, 6304 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45224. Telephone: (513) 681-7559. 324 pages. Also other newspaper articles and news bulletins as noted above.
It is most ironic that most of the hospitals cited in Figure 72-2, which pride themselves on their state-of-the-art neonatal units, also commit abortions. In fact, many hospitals spend hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting to save the lives of very premature babies, while at the same time aborting babies of the same or larger size in another wing.
However, under current medical technology, we are definitely approaching the lower limit of viability. Below a certain age, the baby's lungs just are not capable of sustaining life, even with the most advanced artificial assistance; the baby at 24 weeks has skin so fragile that a mere touch can lacerate it.
Certain scientists have sustained very young preborns (12-16 weeks) in artificial wombs consisting of nutrient-rich solution under very high pressure, but the babies have only lived for a short time. The panacea of the artificial womb, if it is theoretically possible, is a long way in the future indeed.
For a discussion of extracorporeal gestation and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), see Chapter 55, "In-Vitro Fertilization."
Milestones of Fetal Development.
People who say that the heart starts beating 18 days after conception are crazy. At 10 weeks, the embryo still only weighs one ounce, so how could it have a fully formed heart?
Canadian abortionist Henry Morgentaler.[5]
Time Framework.
There are two ways in which people discuss the time period related to milestones in fetal development: Gestational and fertilization age.
Fertilization age is a framework of time based upon the point of view of the unborn child, and begins at the instant of conception. The gestational (or menstrual) age timeline begins two weeks earlier at the last menstrual period, and is figured from the point of view of the mother. The framework most often used in discussions about the development of the unborn child is gestational age.
These terms can be somewhat confusing since they are based upon different starting points. Benchmarks of both are compared below.
LANDMARKS IN FETAL AND GESTATIONAL AGE
Fetal Gestational
(Fertilization) (Menstrual)
Age in Weeks Age in Weeks
Ovulation/fertilization 0 2
Implantation 1 3
First missed
menstrual period 2 4
Preborn heart
begins to beat 3 5
Preborn brain
waves begin 6 8
All of preborn's body
systems present 8 10
Birth 38 40
Reference: Richard D. Glasow, Ph.D. "Clearing Up Confusion." National Right to Life News, July 30, 1991, page 11.
Scientific and Biological Proof.
As the above quote demonstrates, abortionists, who can (and do) know better since they have been through medical school, routinely lie about fetal development in an attempt to keep women and the public ignorant and thereby lessen the natural loathing people have for the taking of innocent life.
After all, when you make your money slaughtering the most innocent of children, what does it matter that you lie occasionally?
At the age of 24 days after conception, the unborn child already meets even the prevailing legal definition of life. Major milestones of normal fetal development are shown in Figure 72-3. The average heights and weights for preborn babies at each week of development are shown in Figure 72-4.
MILESTONES OF FETAL DEVELOPMENT
Conception: Father's sperm penetrates mother's egg. Genetic instructions from each of the two individuals combine to form a unique individual, barely visible to the human eye.
1st Day: First four cell divisions take place as the blastocyst travels down the mother's Fallopian tubes towards the uterus.
5-9 Days: Implantation in the uterus. Of the 45 total generations of cell replication that will take place by mature adulthood, eight have already taken place. The blastocyst now consists of about 256 cells.
14 Days: The mother's menstrual period is suppressed by chemical signals emitted by her own child. First completed brain cells appear.
20 Days: Heart is in the advanced stages of formation. Eyes begin to form. Brain, spinal column, and nervous system virtually complete. Folding of the ectocyst disc occurs. 24 Days: BABY'S HEART BEGINS TO BEAT.
28 Days: Muscles are developing. Arm and leg buds visible. First neocortal cells appear. The neocortex is the seat of complex thinking and reasoning, and are present in no other mammal. Child has grown in size by a factor of 10,000. He or she is now 6 to 7 millimeters long (about 1/4 inch). Blood flows in the baby's veins, separate from mother's blood.
35 Days: Pituitary gland forming. Mouth, ears, and nose taking shape.
42 Days: Heart energy output is 20 percent that of an adult's. Cartilage skeleton is completely formed and ossification begins. The umbilical cord has developed. The baby's brain coordinates voluntary movement of muscles and the involuntary movement of organs. Reflex responses are present. The baby's mother misses her second menstrual period.
43 Days: BABY'S BRAIN WAVES CAN BE RECORDED.
45 Days: Spontaneous, voluntary body movements have begun. Milk teeth buds are present.
7 Weeks: The baby's lips are sensitive to touch, and his ears resemble his family's pattern. The first fully developed neurons (nerve cells) appear on the top of the spinal cord, beginning construction of the brain stem. This portion of the brain regulates vital functions such as breathing, the heartbeat, and blood pressure.
8 Weeks: Baby is well-proportioned, about 1-1/2 inches long and 1/30 of an ounce in weight. All organs are present, complete, and functioning (except lungs). Heart beats sturdily. Stomach produces digestive juices. Liver makes blood cells. Kidneys are functioning. The stomach secretes gastric juices. Taste buds are forming. Fingerprints are being engraved. Eyelids and the palms of the hands are sensitive to touch. A tapping stimulus on the amniotic sac will result in the baby moving his arms. Of the 45 total generations of cell replication that will take place by mature adulthood, fully two-thirds (30) have already taken place. The fetus now consists of about one billion cells. It also contains more equivalent genetic information than every word communicated by every human being who has ever lived since the beginning of the race.
9 Weeks: Child will bend fingers around an object placed in the palm. Fingernails are forming. Child sucks thumbs.
10 Weeks: All sections of baby's body are sensitive to touch. Child swallows, squints, frowns, and puckers up brow. If his palm is stroked, he will make a tight fist.
11 Weeks: Baby urinates and makes all facial expressions, including smiling. He is now breathing amniotic fluid steadily and will continue to do so until birth. Fingernails and toenails are now present. Taste buds are now working. The baby will drink more amniotic fluid if it is artificially sweetened, and less if it is given a bitter taste.
12 Weeks: Vigorous activity shows the baby's distinct personality; babies sleep patterns differ, some babies hiccup constantly, others may cry. Baby can kick, turn over, curl and fan toes, make a fist, move thumbs, open mouth and press lips tightly together. Baby practices breathing.
13 Weeks: Facial expressions resemble those of parents. Movements are vigorous and graceful. Vocal chords are present, and, in rare cases when air enters uterus temporarily, baby has been heard crying. External sex organs are present, and the sex of baby can be determined. Auditory sense is now present.
4 Months: Baby can grasp with hands, swim, and turn somersaults. Mother may first feel baby's movements. Eyelashes are now present. Rapid Eye Movements (REM), indicative of dreaming, can now be recorded. A very bright light shined on the mother's abdomen will cause the baby to slowly move his arms to cover his eyes. Very loud music will cause the baby to cover his ears. Connections between the neocortex and the muscles they control are beginning to appear.
5 Months: Sleeping habits are formed, and a loud sound such as a slammed door may startle child. Baby responds to sounds that are of frequencies that exceed adult's range in both directions. Baby may be soothed to sleep by gentle music.
6 Months: Most babies are viable at this point (24 weeks - about 60 percent of full gestation). Fine hair grows on head and eyebrows. Eyelashes appear. The baby's weight is about 640 grams (22 ounces), and height is about 23 centimeters (nine inches).
7 Months: The baby's weight increases to over one kilogram (2.2 pounds). The baby's eyeteeth are now present. His eyes open and close and explore surroundings. Hands can support baby's entire weight at this time. Baby recognizes his or her mother's voice. Of the 45 total generations of cell replication that will take place by mature adulthood, 38 have already taken place. The baby now has about 300 billion cells.
8 Months: The baby's weight increases to over two kilograms (4.4 pounds), and his quarters become cramped. If born now, the baby has more than a ninety percent chance of surviving and being entirely healthy.
9 Months: In the final six weeks of gestation, the baby gains about an ounce of weight per day. Hormones released by the child trigger labor. The lightest baby ever born to survive healthily weighed in at 10 ounces. The heaviest baby ever born weighed in at 26 pounds and went on to become a heavyweight boxing champion of the world (Primo Carnera). Of the 45 total generations of cell replication that will take place by mature adulthood, 41 have already taken place. The baby now has about two trillion (2,000,000,000,000) cells. The remaining four generations of cell replication will occupy all of the person's childhood and young adulthood. This means, that, in developmental terms, we spend 90 percent of our lives in utero.
AVERAGE FETAL WEIGHT AND LENGTH BY GESTATIONAL AGE
Week of Fetal Weight Length,
Gestation Grams Lbs-Oz Inches
8 1 0 - 1/25 1-1/2
9 2 0 - 1/12 2-0
10 4 0 - 1/6 2-1/2
11 7 0 - 1/3 3-0
12 14 0 - 1/2 3-1/2
13 25 0 - 1 4-1/4
14 45 0 - 2 5-0
16 100 0 - 4 6-1/2
18 190 0 - 7 8-0
20 300 0 - 11 10-0
21 360 0 - 13 10-1/2
23 500 1 - 2 11-1/2
24 600 1 - 5 12-0
28 1,000 2 - 3 14-0
29 1,175 2 - 9 14-1/2
32 1,675 3 - 11 16-0
35 2,160 4 - 12 17-1/2
Conversion Factors.
1 pound = 453.6 grams 1 ounce = 28.35 grams
1 meter = 39.37 inches 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Reference: Enfamil disc entitled "Fetal Dimensions."
Of all the stages of development that the preborn child progresses through, the one that seems to define life for most people is the time when the heart begins to beat.
As early as 1961, researchers, during a therapeutic hysterectomy, obtained a 7-1/2 week preborn baby measuring 23 millimeters (about one inch) from crown to rump. This baby survived independent of the mother for twenty minutes. During this time, the researchers used electrocardiographs to directly measure its strong and regular heartbeat, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that a preborn baby does have a heartbeat by, at the latest, seven and one-half weeks.[6]
This means that the vast majority of all abortions in this country are committed after the heart of the preborn child begins to beat.
The Abortionist's Attitude Towards Third-Trimester Abortions.
A fetus is nothing! You won't get me to say I'm sorry for the fetus. Abortion is much more important than the life of a child that doesn't exist.
Abortionist Howard I. Diamond.[7]
It is very interesting indeed that many pro-abortionists who say that life begins at quickening also support third-trimester abortions. Pro-aborts will say that these late abortions account for 'only' one percent of all abortions, and they will be correct.
However, one percent of 1.6 million is 16,000 third-trimester babies being dismembered or dumped in stainless-steel buckets every year or about seventy per business day. Since pro-aborts are compelled by their curious philosophies to defend all abortions even those in the third trimester this propensity can be used to uncover their extremism in public.
When dealing with third-trimester abortions, the anti-life mentality is uncompromising and absolutist for two very good reasons;
(1) the anti-lifer strives to be free of God and actually is striving (whether consciously or unconsciously) to transform himself into a 'little God.' To admit that any anti-life practice is inhumane or unethical would be to admit fault and culpability. This and other strange characteristics of the anti-life mentality are described in Chapter 2 of Volume I.
(2) the Neofeminists are acutely and properly aware of the principle of "reverse incrementalism;" that is, they are compelled to defend these most reprehensible abortions, because if they 'lose' abortion for the third trimester and for sex selection, for example, they will surely 'lose' abortion in other categories as well (perhaps this phenomenon could be called the 'slippery ski-lift').
The Reality.
Many or most pro-abortionists will deny that third-trimester abortions even exist. However, Census Bureau statistics, which themselves are based upon Alan Guttmacher Institute figures, show that about one percent of all abortions are performed in the third trimester.[8]
In light of the fact that fifty percent of all babies are viable with medical help at the beginning of the third trimester, we see that a minimum of eight thousand viable babies are put to death in this country each year (the current age of fetal viability is shown in Figure 72-1).
Although there are very few abortuaries that kill preborn babies past the 24th week, these few mills commit the vast majority of such grisly procedures. Some abortuaries advertise for abortion well into the third trimester in the Yellow Pages. Atlanta's Midtown Hospital, which does abortions to 26 weeks and beyond, is a typical example.
A lot of attention was focused on the notorious Wichita third-trimester killer, George Tiller, during Operation Rescue's 1991 "Summer of Mercy." It is significant that 6,000 pro-aborts held a counter-rally in Wichita during OR's missions. Their ardent support for third-trimester abortions was displayed by a plane towing a banner that read "WE LOVE YOU, DR. TILLER!"[9]
The "Dreaded Complication."
Occasionally third-trimester abortions result in what doctors commonly call "the dreaded complication:" A live, crying, viable baby.
Abortionist Enrique Gerbi of Detroit Memorial hospital performed an abortion in October 1984 which resulted in the live birth of a 29-week girl. He shrugged and said that "It happens all the time. This is not the first time, and it won't be the last. It happens all the time."[10]
Dr. David A. Grimes, veteran Planned Parenthood abortionist, estimates that from 500 to 3,000 babies survive prostaglandin and hysterotomy abortions every year.[11]
The prevalence of such incidents has given rise to particularly grisly abortion procedures whose purpose is to insure a dead baby. These include the dilation and extraction (D&X), where all of the baby is delivered except for the head. The abortionists then punctures the baby's skull and sucks its brains out.
This is a real abortion procedure, described in detail in Chapter 61, "Methodology and Aspects of Abortion."
A "botched abortions" can lead to a curious breed of litigation: The "wrongful life" lawsuit. "Wrongful life" suits are filed on behalf of a child alleging that he should have been aborted. In contrast, "wrongful birth" suits are filed by parents that claim that their child should have been aborted.[12] Such litigation has literally inverted the traditional legal theory of "wrongful death" to create the "anti-tort" of "wrongful life."
Whatever the terminology, the very existence of the terms "wrongful life" and "wrongful birth" indicates just how far down the slippery slope our legal system has already plunged.
Neofeminist Support.
Judith Hole and Ellen Levine's book Rebirth of Feminism neatly summarizes the radical Neofeminist's attitude towards third-trimester abortions;
... any woman who wishes to terminate a late pregnancy undoubtedly has a very good reason and should have the right to do so. In addition, they argue that the concepts of "quickening" and "viability" are based on religious doctrine and ancient myths about when "life" begins. Any woman who believes in them will not seek an abortion beyond the time dictated by her beliefs. All women, however, should not be required to follow one doctrine.[13]
Note carefully that this logic is used to justify all abortions, even those committed for convenience, for any reason or for no reason at all. Such a statement could even be used to justify infanticide. The original logic used by the Neofeminists has simply been extended to cover the disposal of viable babies.
The Massachusetts Experience.
In 1989, anti-life Massachusetts legislators pushed a so-called "Prochoice Amendment" to their state's Constitution. In order to make this Amendment more palatable to many of their colleagues, sponsors asserted that third-trimester abortions would only be allowed to save the life of the mother.
Incredibly, Neofeminists strongly condemned this exception on the grounds that third-trimester abortions should be available for convenience reasons (i.e., economics, to avoid embarrassment, etc.).
Some of the statements by the local radical press in opposition to this Amendment outlined this extreme position. Marlene Fried baldly summed up the basic Neofeminist position in the simplest possible terms as she claimed that "The most basic aspect of abortion rights [is] a woman's right to decide, at any point in pregnancy, for any reason."[14] And the Revolutionary Communist Party insisted that "There are many different reasons why women get abortions. And they are all valid."[15]
The most revealing opposition to the "Prochoice Amendment" was generated by the Reproductive Rights Network of Boston (R2N2). This organization stated that;
The Reproductive Rights Network of Boston believes that it [the 'Prochoice' Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution] dangerously narrows reproductive rights, and undermines the very movement we're trying to build, by limiting abortion rights to the first 24 weeks of pregnancy ... This represents an alarming compromise of the basic feminist principle that abortion is fundamentally a woman's choice ... Restrictions in late abortion also uphold a disturbing concept that has gotten play in the media and the legislature: that there are morally reprehensible abortions ... Our priority now must be to expand the notion of reproductive rights and to strengthen our message. This is certainly not the time to voluntarily shrink our own demands.[16]
Stubblefield Strikes Out.
In 1985, prominent abortion supporter Dr. Philip Stubblefield, past president of the National Abortion Federation, suggested lowering the upper limit on abortions to 22 weeks. He was certainly not at all concerned about the agony inflicted upon viable babies; he simply wanted to take one small step towards cleaning up the abortionist's filthy public image.
However, Stubblefield was shouted down when he formally presented his proposal to other leading pro-aborts. Abortion lawyer Janet Benshoof of the American Civil Liberties Union demanded that there be upper gestational age limit, stating as fact that abortion on demand "... is a precondition for all other legal and constitutional guarantees of women's equality."[17]
Despite his questionable motivations for banning third-trimester abortions, Stubblefield appears to be unique among hard-core abortionists. Dr. Frank Chernak summarized the callous opinion of other late-term abortionists toward third-trimester killing in the New England Journal of Medicine; "Prenatal death does not constitute a harm, nor does the prenatal termination of the fetus' life through induced abortion constitute an injury."[18]
What Does It Matter?
Pro-life activists should know by now that the status of the unborn as living, as human, as persons, or as developed babies is completely irrelevant to pro-abortionists. All that matters to them is that they be allowed to continue to commit genocide in peace.
The most powerful weapon the pro-aborts have in their arsenal is confusion. When confronted with any information on the unborn at all, they will squirt verbal ink like cuttlefish and will do anything to confuse rather than clarify the issues.
The following pro-abortion quotes demonstrate that viability is not important to those who kill the babies only the ability to divert attention is.
Writer Nancy Rhoden says that "The compromise forged in Roe v. Wade was, and can remain, an acceptable one. But it can do so only if the Court recognizes, when it becomes necessary, the limited ethical relevance of fetal viability."[19]
Janet Benshoof of the American Civil Liberties Union wrote that
The increasing tendency to view the fetus as an independent patient or person occurs at the cost of reducing the woman to the status of little more than a maternal environment ... We need to refocus the right to abortion as one not defined by the fetus or by technological advances, but rather one that is tied to women's constitutional right to privacy, autonomy and bodily integrity.[20]
Some pro-abortion diversionary arguments are so silly they should be made into a gag poster. As expected, the most illogical and anti-scientific ravings originate with self-identified Humanists yes, the same people who pride themselves on their rational outlook. For example, Sherry Matulis, during her 1991 "Humanist Heroine Award" speech, snarled
And although a rose is a rose is a rose, you will never hear anti-choice proponents raise their voices against spontaneous abortion. You will never see them picket or march on Washington or take any other action to try to stop or even lessen this spontaneous "holocaust." And you will certainly never hear them decry their God with his big abortion mill in the sky for this wanton destruction of "innocent life" this "mass murder" of up to 80 percent of all those fertilized eggs they refer to as "unborn children." Because to discuss it to really examine its implications is to put the lie to all their mystical twaddle.[21]
Pro-abortionists have successfully clouded the central issue in the argument over the moral and legal status of preborn babies the discussion over their personhood and viability. Therefore, a mechanical or philosophical resolution of the abortion question is now literally impossible, since the various qualities of the unborn child can simply be redefined or defined out of existence. Fundamental words that used to have concrete meaning among them "life," "humanity," and "personhood" have no fixed reference point in the featureless moral landscape of the social engineers, and drift wherever the currents of convenience take them.
The loss of this foundation has led to a plethora of well-intentioned but physically impossible suggestions for "solutions" to the abortion problem. These recommendations do not address the status of the unborn, and so will never suffice to put even the smallest dent into the abortion Holocaust.
Some people, including Dr. Bernard Nathanson, have suggested that the abortion question will be resolved by allowing unwanted embryos or early fetuses to be removed from the woman's body and grown in artificial uteri. However, the state cannot force the removal of bone marrow or blood from a person, even to save another's life; it is unrealistic to expect that it will do so in the case of early preborn babies. Additionally, the pro-aborts will fight this development tooth and nail with their most powerful weapon to date: the "right to privacy," as Janet Benshoof has implied.[20]
A Clear Danger to the Abortionists.
You must learn to turn your eyes away.
Albert Speer, the architect of Adolf Hitler's Jewish Extermination Program.[22]
The greatest weapon in the pro-life arsenal is not the photographs of mangled aborted late-term preborn babies although these are still very powerful and useful.
The greatest persuader that the pro-life movement has is beautiful full-color photos of preborns peacefully floating in their mother's wombs.
The abortionists know this. While they snivel about "shocking anti-choice propaganda featuring aborted fetuses," they also fanatically oppose the public display of any representation of living preborns. There is a very good reason for this apparent hypocrisy: The abortionists so fear the public seeing the truth about fetal development that they will go to almost any lengths to obscure or censor the truth.
The remainder of this section outlines just a few of the more blatant attempts by pro-abortionists to keep the truth about fetal development from the public.
Keep 'Em Ignorant.
Debate is perhaps the only forum where pro-lifers and pro-aborts may meet on a "level playing field" and actually talk about the issues related to abortion. However, even in this setting, pro-abortionists try to censor the material that pro-lifers use.
This is evident upon examining anti-life debating manuals.
For example, a debating manual issued by the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) entitled "Organizing for Action" states on page 29 that
Another set of questions involves the opposition. Has your audience seen anti-abortion propaganda? Are you debating a Right-to-Lifer? Is the opposition bringing slides or pictures? Try to insist that they not be allowed to ... Find out if your opposition is bringing audio-visuals. Try to insist that you will only speak if they do not.[2]
This is a common theme in pro-abort publications. Perhaps the best example of this type of cowardice is contained in mega-abortionist Warren Hern's book Abortion Practice; "Television interviews, in particular, should focus on the public issue involved (right to confidential and professional medical care, freedom of choice, and so forth) and not on the specific details of the abortion procedures."[23]
Hern goes even further to say
In Colorado, the pro-choice community has decided after some period of disagreement and discussion to refuse all invitations to debate ... we respond to all requests from schools for educational presentations concerning abortion. If the sponsors want both sides presented, however, the presentations must be made on different occasions. We insist that visual aid materials not be presented by either side.
Censorship NOW.
In 1989, Human Life of Washington (the state Right to Life affiliate) placed a series of ads on Washington Transit Authority busses. These ads consisted of a photograph of a 17-week old unborn baby swimming in its mother's womb with the caption "ENJOY LIFE. GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES." The objective of the ads was not to stop abortions, but to warn the public about the effects of alcohol and substance abuse and diet on fetal development.
The Reproductive Rights Task Force of the Seattle Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) immediately initiated a telephone harassment campaign directed against Washington Transit, claiming that the photos and ads were, in NOW's lofty opinion, "too graphic."[24] The Washington Transit Authority quickly broke its contract with Human Life and obediently pulled the ads.
A NOW spokeswoman explained that "NOW works to promote and protect the human rights of women. It is in keeping with the work that we do that we protest advertising the intent of which is harmful to the health and well-being of women, and which deprives women of their full rights as human beings."[25]
When asked how the advertising was "harmful to the health and well-being of women," and how it "deprived women of their full rights as human beings," the NOW people refused to answer.
In other words, NOW does not even want the public to know basic facts about human reproduction, because the sight of a healthy unborn baby might make some women change their minds about abortion!
Pro-Abortion Vandalism.
Delaware Right to Life rented six billboards from Reagan National Advertising in October 1990. The billboards featured a photograph of a beautiful unborn baby with an inoffensive pro-life message. Within two days, all six billboards were torn apart and the pictures of the unborn babies were vandalized. Obscenities and the slogan "THIS IS A PRO-CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD" were spraypainted on the wreckage.[26]
In response to this aggressive censorship, Lou Jacquet of the newspaper Dialog wrote that
The pro-abortion movement has to destroy pro-life billboards to keep people from learning the ugly facts about what abortion involves ... One of the recurring problems facing those who favor legalized abortion is the growing body of knowledge providing beyond a doubt how vital human life already is well before actual birth occurs ... It's not the kind of information pro-abortion activists can afford to acknowledge. So they've taken to a simple solution tearing down and spraying over billboards. Aren't these the same folks who call pro-life activists who picket abortion clinics 'uncivilized?'[26]
This is certainly not an isolated incident. More than 100 pro-life billboards have been destroyed or heavily damaged all over the country since 1985 by skulking pro-abortionists exactly the same people who complain so loudly about clinic burnings.
Pro-Abortion Technological Regression.
At the October 1989 annual conference of the National Abortion Rights Action League, pollster Harrison Hickman stated that "Probably nothing has been as damaging to our cause as technological advances that show pictures of the fetus."[27]
The new and promising field of fetal surgery is also very worrisome to pro-abortionists, who recognize that there is a paradox in performing surgical procedures on an entity that isn't supposed to exist. Judith Pasternak of the American Civil Liberties Union's Reproductive Freedom Project is only one of the many pro-abortionists desperately trying to downplay the significance of in-utero fetal surgery;
But these [fetal surgery] techniques and this success are new indeed, so dazzlingly new as to blind us, perhaps, to the fact that the moral premise of abortion remains unchanged. The "issue of abortion" remains the issue of the right of the woman to choose whether or not to carry something in her own body. No technological advances can rob her of her right to choose whether or not to keep it there.[28]
These examples show that the pro-abortion cause actively resists the discovery of new scientific evidence. This is analogous to the Flat-Earth Society ridiculing information showing that our planet is actually roughly spherical in shape.
Information Please.
Chronically, antiabortionists represent abortion as involving an elephantine fetus about to walk and talk, when, in truth, the typical abortion has more in common with a menstrual period.
Anne Nicol Gaylor, Abortion is a Blessing.[29]
The amount of information stored in any single cell of the human body is prodigious. In fact, if a person attempts to describe this data in terms of 'megabytes' or 'gigabytes' he is usually met by an uncomprehending stare, even from those who understand the dimensions of such measurements.
Therefore, it is very revealing to compare the amount of information in a human cell to that found in a standard that virtually everyone is familiar with: The Encyclopedia Britannica.
Anyone fortunate enough to own the current set of the Encyclopedia has at his fingertips about 30,500 pages and 27.5 million words of information in 33 bound volumes. This is an amount of information equivalent to about 300 megabytes.
If a person set about reading this set of books at a standard speed of 300 words per minute for a regular 40-hour week, it would take eight months to complete the task.
The following paragraphs compare the amount of information found in the human cell and the developing fetus to that in the Encyclopedia Britannica and other measures of the written word.
The Fertilized Egg.
According to medical and genetic textbooks, the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in a single fertilized human egg carries as much data as 50 sets of the 33-volume Encyclopedia Britannica.[30]
These fifty sets of encyclopedia are equivalent to 1,373,625,000 words which, if typewritten in a single line, would stretch for 14,453 miles, more than halfway around the world.
For those with an affinity for computers, this is equivalent to about 15,000 megabytes of data. This information would fill 41,700 5-1/4 inch (360 kilobyte) floppy disks, or would make a stack of such disks 280 feet high, about as tall as a thirty-story skyscraper.
If a person read this mountain of information at 300 words a minute for a standard 40-hour week, he would begin on college graduation day and not finish until retirement at age 58 a total of 37 years!
And all of this data is packed into a one-celled organism barely visible to the unaided human eye.
The Blastocyst.
After conception in the Fallopian tubes, the new human being travels slowly down the tube towards the uterus. Its development has already begun. In fact, by the time the blastocyst has implanted in the uterus, it has undergone eight cell divisions of the 45 required to achieve full adulthood at age 18.
The blastocyst, which consists of about 256 cells, contains as much information as the main library in a large American city. This library would contain more than 3 million volumes with a total of about 350 billion words.
If these books were stacked on top of each other, they would make a pile fifty miles high. If this information were typewritten in a single line, the line would extend 3.7 million miles, or from here to the Moon and back eight times.
For computer freaks, this is equivalent to 3,840,000 megabytes of information, or 3.84 terabytes.
The Individual at Eight Weeks.
By the time the unborn child is eight weeks old, he weighs 1/30 of an ounce, and is comprised of about one billion cells. He has already undergone 35 of the 45 required cell divisions to achieve adulthood.
The amount of information contained in this baby's body is almost incomprehensible. It is equivalent to 1.4 billion billion words, or a typewritten line 15,467 billion miles long, enough to reach four light years to Proximus Centauri, the star closest to our Sun. It is equal to 15 million terabytes, or 15 million million megabytes.
How large is this amount of information?
It is equal to every word spoken by every one of the more than 100 billion human beings who have walked this earth since Adam and Eve; PLUS every written word in every copy of every book, newspaper, magazine, periodical, newsletter, love letter, and communication of every description that has ever existed on this earth.
And yet this unspeakably miraculous body is torn apart 150,000 times a day, all over the world, and is flushed into sewers all over the planet as garbage by abortionists and mothers who could not care less about God or the miracles He creates.
References: Fetal Development.
[1] Dr. Robert Edwards describing Louise Brown, the world's first 'test-tube' baby, quoted in Donald D. DeMarco, Ph.D. "Trapped By Choice! Biotechnology and the Repudiation of "Pro-Choice" Ideology." ALL News, May 1990, pages 28 to 30.
[2] Looseleaf booklet entitled "Organizing for Action." Prepared by Vicki Z. Kaplan for the National Abortion Rights Action League, 250 West 57th Street, New York, N.Y. 10019. 51 pages, no date.
[3] Abortionist Frederick Taussig, The Prevention and Treatment of Abortion, 1910. Quoted in William May's review of William B. Imber's book Abortion and the Private Practice on page 13 of the November 6, 1986 National Right to Life News.
[4] H.G. Ginsberg, M.D., Jay P. Goldsmith, M.D., and Charles M. Stedman, M.D. "Survival of a 380-Gram Infant." New England Journal of Medicine, June 14, 1990, Volume 322, No. 24:1,753.
[5] Canadian abortionist Henry Morgentaler, quoted in Lynda Hurst. "Pro-Abortionist: Decision is Woman's, Abortion Doctor Says." The Toronto Star, November 29, 1973, page E1.
[6] Reuben Straus, M.D., Ralph H. Walker, M.D., and Morris Cohen, Ph.D. "Direct Electrocardiographic Recording of a Twenty-Three Millimeter Human Embryo." The American Journal of Cardiology, September 1961, pages 443 to 449
[7] Abortionist Howard I. Diamond of Beth Israel Medical Center. Quoted in Norma Rosen. "Between Guilt and Gratification: Abortion Doctors Reveal Their Feelings." New York Times Magazine, April 17, 1977, page 78.
[8] United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Reference Book and Guide to Sources, Statistical Abstract of the United States. 1990 (110th edition). Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
[9] Steve Otto. "Choice Supporters Rally, Assail Operation Rescue." People's Daily World, August 31, 1991, page 7.
[10] Leslie Bond. "Another Abortion Survivor at Detroit Memorial Hospital." National Right to Life News, July 31, 1986, page 7.
[11] David A. Grimes. "Second-Trimester Abortions in the United States." Alan Guttmacher Institute, Family Planning Perspectives, November/December 1984.
[12] Lisa Andrusko. "A Fact of Life: Is Abortion Legal Only in the First Three Months of Pregnancy?" National Right to Life News, January 23, 1986, page 1.
[13] Judith Hole and Ellen Levine. Rebirth of Feminism. Quadrangle Books: New York, 1971. Page 288.
[14] Marlene Fried. "Pro-Choice Agendas After Webster." Against the Current, November/December 1989, page 20.
[15] "Women Are Not Incubators!: The Assault on Abortion Rights." Revolutionary Communist Party of the United States, Revolutionary Worker, November 6, 1989. Also distributed as a special reprint booklet, page 6.
[16] Reproductive Rights Network of Boston. "R2N2 Opposes Coalition's Amendment." Sojourner: The Women's Forum, April 1990, page 8.
[17] Richard D. Glasow, Ph.D. "Public Revulsion to Late Abortions Worries Pro-Abortionists." National Right to Life News, November 21, 1985, pages 5 and 9.
[18] Frank Chernak, et al., "When is Termination of Pregnancy During the Third Trimester Morally Justified?" New England Journal of Medicine. Volume 310, No. 8, page 502.
[19] "Late Abortion and Technological Advances in Fetal Viability." Nancy K. Rhoden. "Some Legal Considerations." Family Planning Perspectives, July/August 1985, pages 160 and 161.
[20] "Late Abortion and Technological Advances in Fetal Viability." Janet Benshoof. "Reasserting Women's Rights." Family Planning Perspectives, July/August 1985, pages 162 and 163.
[21] Sherry Matulis. "Why Abortion Must Remain the Law of the Land." The Humanist, July/August 1992, pages 35 to 37 and 49. Extracted from her 1991 "Humanist Heroine Award" speech.
[22] Albert Speer, the architect for Adolf Hitler's Jewish Extermination Program. Quoted in ""Civility" and the Right to Life." Free Speech Advocates newsletter of May 1989.
[23] Warren Hern, M.D. Abortion Practice. New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1984. Page 323.
[24] "Pro-Life Ad Pulled From Seattle Buses." Portland, Oregon Catholic Sentinel. November 3, 1989, page 22.
[25] Living World, Volume 5, Number 2, page 28.
[26] "Billboards Carry Pro-Life Message." Voices for the Unborn (Feasterville, Pennsylvania), October 1990, page 10.
[27] Human Life of Washington State. Human Life News, January/February 1990, page 1.
[28] Judith Pasternak, Reproductive Freedom Project, ACLU Foundation, New York City, quoted in "Worth Quoting" on page 19 of the February 3, 1983 National Right to Life News.
[29] Anne Nicol Gaylor. Abortion is a Blessing. New York, New York: Psychological Dimensions, Inc. 1975, 124 pages. Page 42.
[30] Dennis J. Horan. Villanova Law Review, February 1977. The total amount of information communicated since Adam and Eve were created has been contained in 12 billion hardback and softback volumes averaging 180 pages and 55,000 words apiece; 500 billion newspapers, magazines, periodicals and newsletters of every description, each averaging 45 pages and 25,000 words; and 100 billion people having spoken an average of 7,500 words per day for an average 45-year lifespan. This is a total of 12,331,910,000,000,000,000 words of communication transmitted in every form since human life began on Earth.
Resources and Further Reading: Fetal Development.
Larry Christenson. The Wonderful Way That Babies Are Made.
Hardback. Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174. Telephone: (703) 586-4898. A good book for parent-guided sex education that treats the subject in the context of God's plan for us. The book includes beautiful illustrations and a short section on adoption. There are varying sizes of print and simplicity of language, so that small children and older ones may be taught out of the same book.
Marjorie A. England, M.D. Color Atlas of Life Before Birth: Normal Fetal Development.
Year Book Publishers, Chicago, 1983. Oversize hardcover. Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174. Telephone: (703) 586-4898. This 224-page "coffee-table volume" is lavishly illustrated with color photographs and explains in detail the development of every organ of the unborn child through all stages of development. A bit pricey, but an invaluable tool for debate and for learning about just who it is we are fighting for. This book would make an outstanding pro-life gift to an individual or to a library or school.
Fetal Models.
Large pro-life groups, or those persons who do a lot of presentations on fetal development, may be interested in a high-quality set of eight fetal development models. These high-quality models are mounted on stands and include the uterus, placenta, and life-sized baby from four weeks to seven months. The baby models can be lifted out of the uterus. Information can be obtained from Life Cycle Books, Post Office Box 792, Lewiston, New York 14092-0792. Telephone: (416) 690-5860.
Susan Schaeffer Macauley. Something Beautiful from God.
Paperback. Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174, telephone: (703) 586-4898. A parent's read-aloud book that explains the miracle of life before birth. Includes beautiful photographs of babies in the womb, and treats the subjects of sex and babies in a reverent manner.
Bernard M. Nathanson, M.D. The Abortion Papers: Inside the Abortion Mentality.
Idea Books, Post Office Box 4010, Madison, Wisconsin 53711. 1985, 192 pages. A former prolific abortionist exposes the anti-Catholic bigotry of the pro-abortion movement, discusses the role of the blatantly biased media in obtaining abortion on demand, and explores what the science of fetology has revealed about the unborn child. This enjoyable book is written in George Will's wry and acerbic style. Read especially Chapter 2, "Fetology for Pro-Life," pages 111 to 175. This chapter consists of a detailed and interesting history of fetology in the United States.
Bernard Nathanson, M.D. The Silent Scream.
Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174. Telephone: (703) 586-4898. This is the book form of the film that provoked an international pro-abort scream of protest and a futile effort to discredit it. The book, like the film, describes a suction abortion from the baby's point of view. The book also includes pro-abortion rebuttals to the film The Silent Scream and the answers to those rebuttals.
Lennart Nilsson, M.D. A Child is Born: The Drama of Life Before Birth.
Dell Publishing Company, 1977. Soft cover, hardbound. This book is the sidewalk counselor's favorite. It includes riveting and beautiful color photos of the unborn child, which can be used in a most effective manner to quickly disprove the clinic escort's lies about fetal development.
Joan Lowery Nixon. Before You Were Born.
Our Sunday Visitor, Huntington, Indiana, 46750. 28 pages, 1980. This is an excellent pro-life book that is basic enough to read to small children.
Stephen Parker. Life Before Birth: The Story of the First Nine Months.
Cambridge University Press, 1979; 48 pages. Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174, telephone: (703) 586-4898. Reviewed by John Hamlon on pages 170 and 171 of the Summer 1979 issue of the International Review of Natural Family Planning. Displays from the British Museum of Natural History are drawn to illustrate life before birth and prove beyond doubt that life begins at fertilization. This is an excellent book for parent-guided sex education, in that it includes line drawings of the human reproductive systems. An effective tool for educating people as to the humanity and beauty of the preborn. Children will especially love this book.
Pro-Life Action League. "The Pocket-Pac Pro-Life Presentation."
This invaluable aid to sidewalk counselors consists of eight 3-1/4 inch by 4-1/2 inch glossy color photographs of unborn children. The live babies are at 6, 8, 12, and 18 weeks, and the photographs show four victims of suction, D&E, saline, and hysterotomy abortions. These sets are available from the Pro-Life Action League, Suite 210, 6160 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646. Price includes postage and handling.
Scientists for Life (Edward C. Freiling, Ph.D., editor). The Position of Modern Science on the Beginning of Human Life.
Order from: Life Issues Bookshelf, Sun Life, Thaxton, Virginia 24174. Telephone: (703) 586-4898. This book proves conclusively, using references from famous scientists, that human life begins at fertilization. This book cuts through the pro-abort's desperate attempts to obscure the issue and shows that science does indeed know when life begins! All of the book's material is based on fact, not opinion; logic, not emotion. comes with a study guide in question and answer format to assist teachers and discussion leaders.
Margaret Sheffield. Where Do Babies Come From? and Before You Were Born.
Alfred A. Knopf, 1982 and 1984. Each book is 32 pages. Two more very good books for children as young as six years old.
Carol Van Klompenburg and Elizabeth Siitari, M.D. Loving Your Preborn Baby.
Harold Shaw Publishers, Route 2, Box 152, Pella, Iowa 50219. Telephone: (515) 628-1307. 1990. Reviewed on page 54 of the Winter 1991 issue of ALL About Issues. Chapters on baby's development, meditations for expecting mothers, and how to choose a good name for baby.
Thomas Verny, M.D., with John Kelly. The Secret Life of the Unborn Child.
Collins Publishers, 100 Lesmill Road, Don Mills, Ontario. 1981, 245 pages. The author has written perhaps the first work on "prenatal psychology," demonstrating that the unborn child feels and experiences the outside world through the filter of the mother, and that he responds according to his own unique personality. This interesting book also shows how the character of the unborn child is formed by his experiences.
Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Willke. Abortion: Questions and Answers.
1985, 315 pages. Order from Hayes Publishing Company, 6304 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224. Also available in state and local Right to Life offices. Has extensive basic information on fetal development.
© American Life League BBS — 1-703-659-7111
This is a chapter of the Pro-Life Activist's Encyclopedia published by American Life League.


Oh-so-soft and alluring, our Seamless Tank Bodysuit pays subtle homage to the modern ballerina. Crafted in Portugal from stretch polyamide, this durable fabric provides a body-contouring effect, breathable feel and silky-smooth touch. A feminine scoop neckline at front and back adds sensuality and two rows of snap closures fit a myriad of shapes.


Old Navy coupon code for 30 percent off plus Old Navy Black Friday deals!
Now through Nov. 26, you can use the Old Navy coupon code EARLYBIRD to save 30 percent off online. The coupon can't be combined with "five days of deals" offers.
Plus, OldNavy.com will offer deals of up to 50 percent off online starting at midnight on Thanksgiving. Old Navy stores will open at 4:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to begin offering storewide savings of up to 50 percent off.
Here are some of the Old Navy Black Friday deals you can snag, most of which will be available either online or in-store.
T-shirts for the whole family, $5.
Sweaters starting at $11.48 (regularly starting at $22.94).
Kids' jeans starting at $8 (regularly starting at $19.50).
Adult jeans from $17.50 (regularly starting at $34.94).
Women's flannel shirts from $14 (regularly starting at $24.94).
Kids' performance fleece from $6 (regularly $14.94).
Frost Free vests from $14.97 (regularly $29.94 and up).
Also, be one of the first 100 people to line up on Thanksgiving at 4:00 p.m. for a chance to win $1 million.
Old Navy is part of a family of chain stores which includes Gap, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta. If you're planning to spend more than $100 at one of these stores in the coming weeks, you may want to swing by CVS first. Through Nov. 26, CVS is offering $25 in Extrabucks Rewards when you purchase $100 in gift cards to Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic.


The two attackers are the leading scorers at the end of the 2015 Allianz hurling league.
WATERFORD'S PAURIC MAHONY and Cork's Patrick Horgan are both top of the charts after the completion of the 2015 Allianz hurling league today.
Entering today's final in Semple Stadium, Horgan was the leading scorer and enjoyed a four-point advantage over his Waterford rival.
Horgan shot 0-7 for Cork during their defeat today to bring his spring total from eight games played to 2-87.
But Mahony grabbed 0-11 for league champions Waterford to ensure he racked up 1-90 in their title winning campaign.
The pair were well clear of the rest of the field and firmly established themselves as the leading marksmen in the country.
Email "More good news for Waterford's Mahony and small consolation for Cork's Horgan".
Feedback on "More good news for Waterford's Mahony and small consolation for Cork's Horgan".


Dean is a certified nutritional consultant who helps people to heal their body and mind through vitamins, life style and energetics. Most health problems are caused by a lack of knowledge about health because people are dis empowered. A course in empowerment tries to change that by giving you the information to take control of your health and life without being dependent on anyone else. Dean can be contacted through The Cosmic Switchboard.
In Part 1 of Dialogue With Dean, James Bartley and Dean talk about a new feature called "A Course in Empowerment." Dean and James discuss the various traps set by the matrix to keep us in a densified, energetically blocked and unproductive state. Some things that are talked about are the matrix reality, the law of attraction, nutrition, factory farming, food additives and vaccines. Dean also talks about how to help anxiety with vitamins and protect your health from wifi while still using it.
In Part 2 James Bartley and Dean discuss identifying the source of negative feelings which seem to stem from a person, place or thing but may be related to incidents in the past which have been embedded in the subconscious. Other topics include learning from past life associations, deeper aspects of the Law of Attraction and the importance of detaching from negative people who use you as a negative emotions garbage dumpster.


Arthur Lane.Arthur married Annie Dotson.
Annie Dotson.Annie married Arthur Lane.
F i Nettie Lane was born on 4 Nov 1904. She died on 27 Dec 1943.
James Wesley Mays.James married Pearlie Lee.
Pearlie Lee.Pearlie married James Wesley Mays.
M i William M. Mays was born on 12 Apr 1898. He died on 10 Jan 1956.
Earl McCoy Sr [Parents] was born on 26 Nov 1890 in Matewan, Mingo Co, WV. He died on 9 Aug 1955 in Bluefield Sanitarium Hospital, Bluefield, Mercer Co, WV. He was buried on 11 Aug 1955 in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV. He married Sally Virginia Murphy on 17 Apr 1915 in Welch, McDowell Co, WV.
Sally Virginia Murphy [Parents] was born on 19 Sep 1892 in McDowell Co,WV. She died on 11 Jun 1970 in Bluefield Sanitarium Hospital, Bluefield, Mercer Co, WV. She was buried on 13 Jun 1970 in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV. She married Earl McCoy Sr on 17 Apr 1915 in Welch, McDowell Co, WV.
Albert G. McCoy was born in Feb 1854 in WV. He married Polly Young in 1889.
Polly Young was born in Jan 1873 in KY. She married Albert G. McCoy in 1889.
M i Earl McCoy Sr was born on 26 Nov 1890. He died on 9 Aug 1955.
M x Elijah McCoy was born in 1908.
Ronnie B. McKenzie [Parents] was born on 18 Jul 1936 in Hensley, McDowell Co, WV. He died on 4 Jun 2010 in Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, Kanawha Co, WV. He was buried on 8 Jun 2010 in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV. He married Ellen M..
Ellen M..Ellen married Ronnie B. McKenzie.
Ronnie B. McKenzie [Parents] was born on 18 Jul 1936 in Hensley, McDowell Co, WV. He died on 4 Jun 2010 in Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, Kanawha Co, WV. He was buried on 8 Jun 2010 in Iaeger Memorial Cemetery, Roderfield, McDowell Co, WV. He married Shirley A..
Shirley A..Shirley married Ronnie B. McKenzie.
Ervin Francis Merritt was born on 4 Sep 1925 in Madison Co, FL. He died on 17 Aug 1995 in Duval Co, FL. He married Evelyn L. Worley.
Evelyn L. Worley was born on 20 Mar 1926 in Bluefield, Mercer Co, WV. She died on 15 Feb 2002 in TX. She married Ervin Francis Merritt.
Charles D. McBrayer [Parents] was born on 30 May 1916 in Pike Co, KY. He died in Apr 1984 in NY. He married Evelyn A. Worley on 23 Nov 1935 in Davy, McDowell Co, WV.
Evelyn A. Worley [Parents] was born on 24 Jan 1916 in McDowell Co, WV. She died in May 1993 in NY. She married Charles D. McBrayer on 23 Nov 1935 in Davy, McDowell Co, WV.
William Green "Bill" McBrayer [Parents] was born in 1875 in Greenup Co, KY. He died on 29 Aug 1954 in Grace Hospital, Welch, McDowell Co, WV. He was buried on 31 Aug 1954 in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, Mercer Co, WV. He married Mary Jane Helwig on 13 Jun 1893 in Carter Co, KY.
Mary Jane Helwig [Parents] was born on 12 Sep 1875 in East Brady, Clarion Co, PA. She died on 5 May 1961 in Bluefield Sanitarium Hospital, Bluefield, Mercer Co, WV. She was buried on 7 May 1961 in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, Mercer Co, WV. She married William Green "Bill" McBrayer on 13 Jun 1893 in Carter Co, KY.
M ii John Edgar McBrayer was born on 12 Oct 1906.
F iii Hazel McBrayer was born on 9 Feb 1909. She died in Aug 1986.
M iv Charles D. McBrayer was born on 30 May 1916. He died in Apr 1984.
Patterson. married Evelyn L. Worley.
Evelyn L. Worley was born on 20 Mar 1926 in Bluefield, Mercer Co, WV. She died on 15 Feb 2002 in TX. She married Patterson.


Max Brockbank, Liberal Democrat candidate for Whitefoot Ward, is calling for coordinated and imaginative action by Lewisham Council to tackle flytipping and litter in our streets and green spaces.
In the past few weeks the Lib Dem team has reported numerous flytips, to Phoenix and Glendale as well as to the council. Lewisham's road sweepers are ideally placed to report problems that they see on their rounds, but have no easy means of alerting Phoenix or Glendale if the rubbish is on land they manage.
Prevention is better than cure, and we have suggested to Phoenix that their caretakers ensure the gates to the courtyards behind flats in Crutchley and Evans Roads, and other blocks in North Downham, are kept closed, preferably locked, to deter flytipping and dog fouling.
Some problem areas are the result of poor organisation. The alleyway between Boundfield and Persant Roads is often unswept because it isn't included in either roadsweeping round. Similarly the path from Bromley Road to the South Lewisham Health Centre has clearly not been touched for months, as it is full of weeds and accumulated litter. The litter bin on the corner of Beachborough Green is frequently overflowing because it isn't on a regular Glendale round.
Much of the 'rubbish' that is dumped could be re-used or recycled. The Council offers a free collection scheme for mattresses, yet they are often just left on the street. Better publicity is needed, as well as promotion of charity collections (British Heart Foundation will collect electrical equipment and refurbish it) and Lewisham Freecycle where you can exchange unwanted items.
Max says, "It is a ridiculously long drive from Whitefoot to the tip at Landmann Way. Until Lewisham Council can negotiate an arrangement for us to use Bromley's facilities, they should designate a 'bulky refuse day' every six months, when residents can clear out their shed or attic and have their unwanted goods collected for free."
"Lewisham continues to have a poor recycling rate compared with neighbouring boroughs. We need some lateral thinking around publicity for re-use and recycling, and effective coordination among the different agencies on flytipping. The Phoenix initiative in planting up the corner greens was a great example of imaginative thinking, and it has worked."


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Philippine Basic Education
A blog that tackles issues on basic education (in the Philippines and the United States) including early childhood education, the teaching profession, math and science education, medium of instruction, poverty, and the role of research and higher education.
True State of the Nation
While numerous articles have sprouted in the past few days in anticipation of the State of the Nation Address, we are reminded of past speeches by Congressman Palatino. And selected phrases are shown below:
"The number of workers organized into labor unions nearly doubled during the past year. This means that labor has improved its collective bargaining position for better wages and working conditions."
- Magsaysay, 1955
"Instead of English, the local dialects are now being used in the first two years of the elementary grades."
"As a beginning, mathematics and physics should again be taught as compulsory subjects in the high schools."
-Magsaysay, 1956
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"…the maximum size of classes has been reduced from 60 to 40 pupils. The vernacular is now being used as a medium of instruction in the first two years of the primary grades."
-Garcia, 1958
More than fifty years later, one does not need to wonder what the state of the nation really is. Here are photos that tell the story: And the present does sound like echoes from the past.
The State of Kindergarten
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Piket ng Gabriela sa harap ng tanggapan ng Department of Education noong Hunyo. (KR Guda)
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Mga manggagawang pangkalusugan na nagtipon at nagprotesta sa harap ng Rizal Medical Center para tutulan ang korporatisasyon ng mga pampublikong ospital. (Pher Pasion)
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Martsa ng militanteng kabataan patungong Mendiola, para irehistro ang pagkadismaya nila sa administrasyong Aquino, laluna't nalalapit na ang State of the Nation Address ng pangulo sa Hulyo 23. (Pher Pasion)
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The IBON Foundation summarizes what the State of the Nation really is:
"....The Aquino administration has encouraged the profits of a few while the needs of tens of millions of Filipinos remain unmet. In contrast to the conditions of most Filipinos who remain poor, the wealth of an elite few and corporate profits have continued to soar. Amid poverty and economic underdevelopment the collective wealth of the 40 richest Filipinos more than doubled and grew by US$24.6 billion (108%) from US$22.8 billion reported in 2010 to US$47.4 billion in 2012. For comparison, US$47.4 billion is equivalent to over one-fifth (21%) of GDP last year...
...There is much reason to conclude that the so-called social contract with the Filipino people has been broken many times over. Growth remains exclusionary and the prospects for real, equitable and sustained development remain poor. However it is unlikely that these will be covered in the 2012 SONA. On the other hand, what is likely is that the SONA will be a broken record repeating accounts of supposedly inclusive growth and an economic upsurge that is belied by realities on the ground. The government and its untransformed policies unfortunately remain the bottleneck to development...."
"Even the wage increases are still not enough to meet the "living wage" that the government itself defines. IBON estimates the family living wage, which the NWPC had stopped computing in September 2008, to be at Php1,017 in May 2012 in NCR. This means that the current minimum wage covers only 44% of the family living wage. This is even worse than in 2001 under President Arroyo when the minimum wage was 52% of the family living wage." - From the Midyear 2012 Birdtalk "Exclusionary Economics, Elite Politics"
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"The share of agriculture in the economy continues to fall and was down to 11.6% of GDP in the first quarter; manufacturing was at 22.9% of GDP in the first quarter of 2012 which is as small as its share in the 1950s. Yet manufacturing and agriculture are important sectors for creating jobs, have the greatest potential for high productivity, and should be the main drivers of economic growth. As it is, the domestic agriculture sector remains largely backward and local manufacturing still grossly underdeveloped." -- From the Midyear 2012 Birdtalk paper "Exclusionary Economics, Elite Politics" Downloaded from http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ibon-Foundation/425650640161
Commentaries Data and Statistics
Wrong Track in Senior High School?
With the new K to 12 curriculum in the Philippines, various tracks are now offered in the last two years of basic education. The various options available obviously make it possible for students to find themselves later unprepared for the courses they decide to take in college. A student, for instance, who finishes the accounting business management (ABM) strand in the senior high school academic track, is now required to take additional courses if the student chooses to enroll in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) major in college. These additional courses which are now called "bridging programs" are either taken during the first year of college or over several weeks in the summer before college starts. Above copied from Coldwater High School Early College Program There are bridging programs in the United States, but these are different from the ones that are now appearing in colleges in the Philippines. In Coldwater High School in Michigan, fo
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K to 12 Program ng Gobyerno ng Pilipinas
MGA TANONG AT SAGOT HINGGIL SA Kto12 PROGRAM NG GOBYERNO NG PILIPINAS Posted on May 28, 2012 by David Michael San Juan MGA TANONG AT SAGOT HINGGIL SA Kto12 PROGRAM NG GOBYERNO NG PILIPINAS (Paunawa: Simpleng lenggwahe ang ginamit sa artikulong ito upang madaling maintindihan ng mayorya.) For the full English version please visit http://www.scribd.com/david_juan_1/d/70033985-San-Juan-David-Michael-Full-Paper-Kto12 TANONG: ANO ANG KTO12 PROGRAM? SAGOT: Ang Kto12 Program ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay tumutukoy sa pagkakaroon ng mandatory o required na kindergarten at karagdagang 2 taon sa dating 10-year Basic Education Cycle. Kung noon, pagkatapos ng anim na taon sa elementarya at apat na taon sa hayskul (kabuuang 10 taon) ay maaari nang makapagkolehiyo ang mga estudyante. Sa ilalim ng Kto12, bago makapagkolehiyo, kailangan pa nilang dumaan sa karagdagang 2 taon pagkatapos ng apat na taong hayskul. Sa bagong sistema, tinatawag na senior high school o junior
Hapag ng Pag-Asa (Table of Hope)
Hapag ng Pag-asa, Painting by Joey A. Velasco The following is an article written by Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J., originally published on the Philippine Star . HAPAG NG PAG-ASA. By Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. The Philippine Star 04/21/2007 At the entrance of the Major Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas , in Manila , you will see a painting. It is the "Last Supper" of Joey A. Velasco. It portrays poor children from Metro Manila, all between the ages of 4 and 14, at the Last Supper with Christ Our Lord. He has called it "Hapag ng Pag-asa", the table of hope. To start with, it is not really a table. It is a big delivery box, knocked apart and nailed together again as a table. Joey Velasco himself has said: "This painting reveals a story of greater hunger than a plate of rice could satisfy. What these children are starved for is love." Realizing that his little models were real persons, he investigated the life of each of them, and wrote
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution
acdedios
Discovery Based Learning
equity in education
Evidence-Based Research
Instructional Hours
Mother Tongue Based - Multilingual Education
Parental Involvemnt
School Drop-outs
Spiral Approach
Suggestions to Solve Problems in Basic Education
Teacher Groups
Technology in Classroom
Views from Regions
PNoy has still 4 years to fulfill his promise
Benchmarking Early Education Across the World
"Truthiness in Education" : We All Must Learn?
Inquiry Requires Immersion. Not a Spiral Approach
President Benigno Aquino III Gets Another F (Faile...
When Teachers Are Underpaid ....
Mother Tongue Based - Multilingual Education : A B...
DepEd K to 12 Modules, For Sale?
Teachers Challenge President Benigno Aquino III to...
Teachers' Salaries Over K-12. P-Noy Urged
A Tale of Two Education Reforms
A Tale of Two Teachers
More Pork, Doleouts, Bonuses in 2013 Budget
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Mothers picket DepEd QC, protest 10K homeschoolers...
K+12 did not change old teaching system
A Tale of Two Curricula
Research Productivity in Education and Psychology
When Cooking Becomes Part of Schooling
DepEd Releases List of Additional Subjects for K+1...
K+12, A Seemingly Inferior & Anti-people Program
DepEd's Spiral Curriculum II
School Bell Ringing Day
Bill Gates: "That's Why Working with Teachers is R...
Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferab...
'Dead end' sa dalawang taong pagtahak ng kabataan ...
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Public Education Reform, RH Bill, and DepEd's K to 12
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On DepEd's K to 12 Fuzzy Math and Logic
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Simple Mathematics
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Focus First on the Early Years
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"Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in your schools are the work of many generations, produced by enthusiastic effort and infinite labor in every country of the world. All this is put into your hands as your inheritance in order that you may receive it, honor it, add to it, and one day faithfully hand it to your children. Thus do we mortals achieve immortality in the permanent things which we create in common." - Albert Einstein
Angel C. de Dios, Ph.D., is currently an associate professor of chemistry at Georgetown University. At Georgetown, he has been teaching General Chemistry since 1995 in addition to graduate courses in molecular spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. His research interests include nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, protein structure determination, anti-malarial drugs, and math and science education. He was a recipient of a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation and the Georgetown College Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching. A member of PAASE (Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering), he helped the residents of Paete, Laguna incorporate computers and the Internet into their public schools.
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